On 4th July 2013, our article 'Melbourne's Gallery of Graffiti' was published in World Architecture News Metroblogs. The graffiti and stencil artworks in Hosier Lane transform this back lane into an informal art gallery. A must see, if you are in Melbourne.

On 7th June 2013, our article 'The facade as a canvas of light' was published on World Architecture News Metroblogs. It talks about the interplay of art and architecture as seen during Vivid Sydney 2013 festival.

The Golden Camera International Photo Awards ceremony was held On 22nd March 2013, at Contemporary Art Centre M17, Kyiv. My submission 'I am still alive' showcasing photographs of Cockatoo Island secured First place in Architecture Category. Below are images of the photo series, award ceremony and exhibition at M17.

From 3 'R's of sustainable principles - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - 'Reuse' has most power of creating innovative and refreshing objects, that also have an embedded cultural value. Like inheritance from our ancestors, the reused objects have a story, making them very special, unlike mass produced things we buy everyday. This is why the installation Waste Notby artist Song Dong is one of its kind. And the fact that it has been housed under Carriageworks - a Waste Not, modern cultural space created by reusing the old Eveleigh rail yard - makes it extraordinarily unique.

Waste Not is translated from Wu jin qi yong : anything that can somehow be of use, shoud be used as much as possible.

From paper bags to leather bags, bowls to bottles, bird cages and empty boxes, Waste Not is a massive collection by the artist's mother, either out of fear of shortage or to reuse them as something else or because it reminded her of her deceased husband. The art compelled all visitors to feel the daily life of a whole generation of Chinese people, and question the everyday waste we generate today.

Televisions, record players and radios … the collection had it all. We overheard a visitor telling her friend "Doesn't that bring back memories?!"

Presence of a home in the centre as a main focal point of the display, enhances domestic nature of the collection, and ties it all together. The efforts of assembling, disassembling and transporting the house, over and above all the collected items, is well worth it.

Carriageworks, as a reused space, forms a perfect backdrop for the art installation. A great example of how architecture can add value to art.

Launched during Sydney Festival last month, Waste Not is on display until March 7th at Carriageworks. It is a perfect time to explore Carriageworks if you haven't done it yet.

There are many different types of Aboriginal artworks. But not many have inspired us to see them as ‘architectural spaces’ as much as the collection of ‘Living Water’ at National Gallery of Victoria (NGV).“Aboriginal people from across the Western Desert use the term ‘living water’ to describe water sources, including rock holes and soakage waters that are fed by underground springs. The path of these springs was created by the ancestral beings of the tjukurrpa (dreaming) as they themselves journeyed underground, their entry into the earth often marking the site of current day water sources. ‘Living water’ is revered also because it does not seem to be affected by the harsh conditions above the ground that the people themselves have to endure.”The above excerpt from the exhibit description mentions about underground spaces being inspiration for these painting and it was very evident in each artwork. The patterns of lines, circles and curves all give a spacial character transferable to an actual built form. Some suggested an area diagram, while others a 2-dimensional drawing. At some point, we started looking at the paintings as plan or section of a space and that made the viewing even more interesting. It was like going on a special studio of basic design to draw inspiration from objects around you.Below are some photographs of the artwork that inspired us the most.

'Living Water'is on display until 3 Feb 2013 at NGV. They also have a paperback publication Living Water: Contemporary Art of the Far Western Desert on their shelf for those who would like to keep the inspirational memories with them forever.

One Planet Living emphasises on reviving the local cultural heritage that is being lost throughout the world due to globalisation, by supporting and participating in the arts.

The various installations we saw this year in Sydney, both inside and outside, created opportunity for the community to interact, reflect and share the ideas, creativity and culture. Both local and global artists, by use of innovative ideas and at times high-tech technologies, presented some very fine installations lifting up the 'spirit of art' among Sydney-siders. The long queue at circular quay for ferry to Cockatoo Island and always full forecourt of MCA and Custom house during Vivid Sydney 2012 were among the few proofs of the success of these events. Hope all of you in and around Sydney got chance to be a part of these celebrations. If not, watch out for them in 2013.

Below are my Top 12 installations from this year's various Art Festivals. They are in no particular order. Feel free to share yours by dropping a line below under comments.

Fujiko Nakaya's Living Chasm - This installation created fog-like effect using pure water. This site-specific installation converted the normal afternoon into a magical, dream-like atmosphere …

Lee Mingwel's Mending Project - A simple yet colourful installation where visitors could participate by bringing in a garment or object that requires mending that became a part of installation.

Tiffany Singh's Knock on the Sky Listen to the Sound - the large entry hall of Pier 2/3 was full of colourful ribbons and wind chimes. Visitors were encouraged to take a chime home, decorate as they like and return to a dedicated space on Cockatoo island. An artist's installation was transformed into people's installation.

Ed Pien and Tanya Tagaq's Source - The black and white film of hand gestures was projected on floor from a ceiling mounted projector, creating interesting display right in the front of the entrance. One could walk over or simply watch the display without any interruptions, establishing a connection in their own way.

Philip Beesley's Hylozoic series - Working with the concept of hylozoism – the belief that all matter in the universe has a life of its own – Philip Beesley creates interactive environments that respond to the actions of the audience, offering a vision of how buildings in the future might move, think and feel.

Daan Roosegaarde’s Dune - Cockatoo Island's Dog Legged tunnel was lined with Interactive landscape, a hybrid of nature and technology made from large amounts of fibre optics which reacts to the sounds and motions of people walking by. Visitors become active participants, having a direct influence on the interactive artwork’s identity.

Light Display on MCA facade by various Australian artist from MCA and Sydney's Spinifex Group - During Vivid Sydney 2012, the Museum of Contemporaty Arts (MCA) was transformed into a Canvas of Light. Every evening 3D colour projections and digital artistry did their magic transforming architecture into vibrant graphic art.

Li Hongbo's Ocean of Flowers - This installation has been created by gluing piles of paper together with the honeycomb technique carved into forms resembling weapons that the artist twirls into new ‘flower shapes’. The thing that struck me the most is the scale and the intricate detail of every flower making the installation space into a huge colourful ocean of flowers.

Ken Unsworth's No Return - The life size skeleton balancing on the pole creates an atmosphere of tension or uneasiness that gives the viewer an opportunity to re-evaluate one's own life.

Kathryn Clifton and Martin Bevz's Sea Grass - The strands of optic fibres changed colours as a response to human presence. As you can see, it was a big hit among kids. (This image got highly commended in Australian Photography Competition, Theme - Colour Green)

Alex Richie's Kaleidoscope Cube - The towers of mirrors depicted urban landscape of tall buildings with curtain wall facades. The way they reflect each other resembles the current cities with sense of commonness between them. However, from certain angle, these walls merged into the surrounding being a part of natural environment. A simple yet very interesting installation.

Hilde A. Danielsen's Upside Down Again - The most facinating thing about this installation way wooden slats were installed to create a fluid twirl-like form. The juxtaposition of rigidity of slats vs fluidity of installation attracted many art lovers.

Vin Rathod

Vin is a Sydney based photographer and travels in Australia and around the world for photography projects. He specialises in Architecture, Art, Fine Art and Time-Lapse photography. The images from his photography projects are available to purchase as Archival quality fine art prints and canvases...Read more